The Government intends to solicit and negotiate on a sole source basis with San Diego State University, 5250 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA, 92182-1901 for error assessment for the U.S. Historical Climatology Network (USHCN) time series. The work to be performed is as follows: 1. Estimation of the error bar for the USHCN summary data for temperature. For a given scale of month, season and year from 1895 to current, an error bar shall be calculated for the contiguous U.S. average monthly mean temperature each year. 2. Statistical inference at a given level of significance about whether a specific year is the hottest or coldest between year Y1 and year Y2, again at scales of month, season and year. The inference shall also be made as for whether one year is hotter or colder than another year with a specific p-value. To be delivered to NOAA's National Climatic Data Center, 151 Patton Avenue, Asheville, NC. The period of performance is August 11, 2008 or date of award, whichever is later, through August 10, 2009. In order to comply with the debt collection improvement act of 1966, all contractors must be registered in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) to be considered for an award of a federal contract. For information regarding registration in CCR contact the CCR website at http://www.ccr.gov. Authority: 41 USC 253(c)(1). The FSC for this is F999 and the NAICS Code is 611310, small business size standard is $6.5 million. The government intends to award a firm-fixed price purchase order for this requirement. San Diego State University is the only known source capable of providing the required work. The proposed contract action is for supplies or services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR 6.302(c)(1). Interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement or submit a proposal. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. However, all proposals received by 4:00 P.M. July 25, 2008 will be considered by the government. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement in the future. Evidence must be provided of ability to perform the required work. Responses to this notice, if any, must show clear and convincing evidence that competition would be advantageous to the government. Inquiries will only be accepted via email to Linda.S.Statler@noaa.gov.